JUDICIARY
Nasarawa Pensioners Union Disowns Garnishee Order on Government Accounts

From Beauty John, Lafia
The Nigerian Union of Pensioners ( NUP) Nasarawa state council had on Thursday rebuked the actions of some of its members who took the state government to court over payment of pension that led to a garnishee order imposed on the state government’s account by a high court in Abuja last month.
Chairman of the state council, Alhaji Musa Obakpa made the position of the union known in a press conference at the Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ) press centre in Lafia.
According to him, the union disassociates itself from the act perpetrated by few individuals among them who call themselves “Grassroots Concern Pensioners“.
“At the commencement of this struggle, some pensioners christened themselves “grassroot concern pensioners” sought the consent of the leadership of the union to institute legal action against the state government on its inability to settle their gratuity and stoppage of percentage payment of pension”
Obakpa said that the move was rejected by the state council of the union, and the national secretariat in Abuja insisted that the issue be domesticated and amicably resolved.
According to him, the matter was resolved with a written memorandum of understanding discussed and signed by both parties on October 30, 2018.
“We were taken aback when on return from Abuja, the concerned pensioners reneged from the agreement by refusing to withdraw the case from the court, “ he said.
“On the assumption of office, His excellency made a public declaration in his inaugural speech the abolition of percentage payment of pension with a promise to review upward the monthly N20 million often paid by the state government for payment of gratuity to N50 million per month to settle gratuity, while the sum of N10 million will be paid by each 13 local government councils making a total sum of N180 million per month to settle gratuity,” he stated.
According to him, an agreement was reached on February 10 , 2020 that the money would henceforth be shared 30% and 70% ratio for pensioners that went to court and those that did not go to court respectively.
Obakpa revealed that, with the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the revenue allocation, the leadership of the Union signed an agreement with the state government on June 16, 2020, that N2 million be paid by the local government councils, against the N10 million earlier agreed on.
He said the agreement entailed N76 million would be released on a monthly basis by both the local and state government instead of the earlier agreed 180 million, the agreement was to last until December, 2020.
The chairman said that to his dismay, when the sum of N76 million was released, the concerned group backed out of the agreement and denied being part of the consensus that the money be shared 30% -70% among them, insisting that the money be shared equally when they were just 650 in number as against over 9,000 other members of the union.
While negotiation on the lingering issue of ration on the sum of N76 million released for the payment of June 2020 gratuity was ongoing, the concerned pensioners alongside their counsel hurriedly obtained a garnishee order that froze the state government’s account during the Eid-El-Kabir period, forcing the government to contact banks so as to source money in order to meet up with payment of salaries and pension.
“The union of pensioners wishes to use this medium to inform the public that the action of the concerned group numbering only 650 out of the total number of over 9,000 pensioners in the state does not in any way reflect the interest of other loyal pensioners who consider dialogue and diplomacy as the best way to settle the lingering problem,” he restated.
He commended the effort of governor Abdullahi Sule since assumption of office, his sympathetic nature towards the plight of pensioners in the state, cautioning him to be wary of elements who under the guise of fighting for their rights, have ulterior motive to truncate the good intention of his administration.
“We reject in total any move by the opposition to use our respected union members to achieve their political agenda as currently chicken-in by the concerned group“
The chairman called on the entire membership of the pension union in the state to remain calm and have confidence on the leadership who’s topmost priority was to protect the interest of its members
JUDICIARY
Pastor Arraigned over Alleged Rape of Married Woman in Edo

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin
A 38-year-old pastor, Simeon Okehielem of the Synagogue Prayers Ministry has been arraigned before an Edo State High Court for allegedly raping a married woman, Isoken Vivian Aigbedo.
The pastor, who was accused of engaging in sexual relationships with married women within his congregation, was docked before the court in Benin City, on Thursday last week.
The charges against Pastor Okehielem followed a year 2022 incident in Uholor Community of Benin City where the cleric allegedly drugged and raped the woman leading to the birth of a child.
Recent DNA results reportedly confirmed the pastor as the biological father of the child, which prompted the Nigerian Police to re-arrest and formally arraign him.
The presiding judge, Justice Erhabor, granted an ex-parte order to remand the suspect at the Benin Correctional Custodial Centre for 14 days, pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Edo State.
The State Prosecutor, P.O. Odion told the court that the alleged offence occurred in February 2022.
Okehielem was slammed with two-count charge on alleged rape and administering a stupefying substance with the intent to commit a felony.
The charge sheet, marked Suit No: BLOD/2323M/2025, reads: “That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, did rape one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 4, punishable under Section 5(1) of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, 2021.
“That you, Okehielem Simeon ‘m’, in or about the month of February 2022, in Benin City within the Benin Criminal Division, with intent to commit a felony, administered a substance to stupefy one Mrs Isoken Vivian Aigbedo, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 256 of the Criminal Law of Edo State, 2022.”
Speaking to journalists after the court session, the victim’s legal counsel, Clinton Ogbebor, applauded the Police for its diligence.
“We are in court today over the alleged rape of my client, Mrs Isoken Aigbedo, by one Pastor Simeon Okehielem,” he said.
Ogbebor confirmed that the case file would now be forwarded to the office of the DPP for legal advice, after which the trial will proceed accordingly.
The development has stirred debates across Benin City, with residents and religious leaders expressing shock and calling for justice.
The case has been adjourned pending further legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution.
JUDICIARY
Court Bars Bello from Acting as Nasarawa APC Chairman

A Senior District Court 3, Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Thursday restrained Mr Aliyu Bello, the embattled Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, from presenting himself as Chairman or a member of the party.This followed a motion filed by Suleiman Turaki, Counsel to Ibrahim Iliyasu, the Chairman of APC in Gayam Electoral Ward of Lafia Local Government Area of the state.
Report says that on July 1, Iliyasu, alongside 13 other officials of the party in the ward, suspended Bello from the party over alleged anti-party activities. The order signed by Abdullahi Lanze, Senior District Judge of the court, stated that the prayer was granted after hearing the application presented by the applicant’s counsel.The order specifically restrained Bello, his agents, privies, supporters or any person acting on his behalf, authority, or direction, from presenting himself as a member or Chairman of the party.The court also barred Bello from issuing statements, carrying out functions, or acting in any manner whatsoever, through the media or otherwise, as a member or Chairman of APC.This would be pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. (NAN).JUDICIARY
Unemployed Man Arraigned for Allegedly Impersonating Military Officer

A 30-year-old unemployed man, Sadiq Usman, on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly parading himself as a military officer.
Usman is facing a two-count charge of impersonation.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The prosecutor, Supol Josephine Ikhayere, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on May 24 at about 3.
30 p. m. at Alaba Rago Market area of Ojo, Lagos State.Ikhayere said that the defendant, who was unemployed, unlawfully had in his possession a Nigerian military camouflage uniform, cap, belt, and boots.
“He paraded himself as a member of the Nigerian Army and had in his possession two Nigerian Navy identity cards,” she said.
According to her, the defendant was arrested when he failed to give a satisfactory account of the items.
The prosecutor said that the offences contravened sections 77(a)(b) and 79(a)(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 77 stipulates a three-year jail term for anyone found guilty of impersonating a member of the armed forces or the police.
Section 79 stipulates two years imprisonment for unlawfully wearing the uniform of the armed forces.
The Magistrate, Mr Lateef Owolabi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N150,000 with two reliable sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must show evidence of tax payments to the Lagos State Government.
Owolabi adjourned the case until July 1 for mention. (NAN)